MGB & GT Forum

Hi,
My original tank was giving off a lot of petrol fumes when full so I purchased a new one manufactured by Spectra Premium from Canada. This tank doesn't have any internal baffles, is this going to cause any problems with surge?
I purchased a tank fitting ket as some of the captive nuts were mangled, there are 5 fibre washers which is the same count for the captive nuts so I am assuming that they go together. Do these fibre washers fit between the tank and the body or do they go under the large metal washer with the bolt going down from inside the boot?

Thanks, Dave

Between the metal washer and the boot floor (on the inside). Between the tank and body the Factory fitted strips of rubber. Those of us who fit them quite often orientate them differently. You can search such discussions and decide for yourself. IDK about "no baffles".

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Mk1: CKD 11/66 first registered 8/5/67; owned since 3/77. 18GB +40 balanced. Peter Burgess BVFR head. Piper 285. 123. FidanzaFW. 4synch c/r box. Lots more as I did a nut and bolt rebuild; finished 2015. Tartan Red.

GT: December '78. VW Golf guards, flush fit front and rear valances. Torana XU1 vents, frenched indicators & Mk1 rear lights. 'Worked' Rover V8 with Monsoon ECU for EFI. GM4L60E, Lokar tiptronic & Quick4 controller. Vintage Air A/C. FC IFS. CCE 4 link rear. Salisbury with Quaife. Jaguar Storm.

NO, the problem with Canadian produced tanks is not the absence of baffles, but sometimes lacking final checks on a less than perfect production line.

My first Canadain tank had a leak around where the exitpipe was braised to and had to be replaced. Since I had sprayed and mounted it already, this was quite a disappointment! The second one did not leak around this pipe, but its junction piece at the end of the pipe was not perfect and leaked too. Never expecting yet another failure this tank was also sprayed and mounted, so yet another one was not an option for me. Luckily I could solve the junction leak by a suitable application of two component metal, filling glue in a gasoline resistant version. This stuff resembles JD Weld BTW.
Now leakfree in place already for over 15 years, but I am still regretting never having bought a SS one, when still available from one of my parts providers in the 80's..

So my advice is to doublecheck these fittings on yours, I wish you a better one than I ever received and not my misadventures




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2017-12-14 10:23 AM by Donthuis.

Hi Dave
I fitted the same fuel tank so time ago, no baffles, no problems...!!!

X2 with Barrie re rubber strips...!!!

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“Stupid is a condition. Ignorance is a choice.”
Wiley Miller

If you are a very sensitive driver, maybe a tiny tad with a half full tank. As our cars are carbs, not a pickup problem.

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Cogito ergo sum periculoso

Thanks for all your very helpful responses.
Regarding the quality problems, the MG parts business also mentioned this and advised that one of their team does a quality inspection on all units before selling them and fixes any defects found.

Cheers, Dave

i also have a Spectra tank without baffles. When turning, you will probably see the fuel gauge level change noticeably and then come back to where it's supposed to be; not really a big problem of course.
My tank had some quality problems unfortunately - the vent connector wasn't attached properly and cracked a bit at the joint when I put the vent hose on. There was also a small leak at the bottom of the sender flange at the tank surface. Fixed both with JB Weld.

When I am turning I am not watching the fuel gauge-I'm watching the road

I've installed two of these tanks without issues, as well but the one tank I got from another well known source leaked around the outlet pipe braze joint

I’ve installed Spectra tanks on the MGB and Bugeye and the quality was very good for what I paid and since the volume is so small I don’t feel any sloshing. Hardest part is getting paint to stick to the outside!
Rut

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1960 Bugeye,1275, 5 speed
1970 MGB, Pale Primrose
1967 Triumph TR4a
1966 Triumph TR4a
When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life. John Lennon

Personally, have experienced no quality problems with a Spectra tank purchased about 3 years ago. The problem with the various tanks offered for sale is that I need a unique tank configuration specific to a '76 model (which is not available), so had to remove the angled fill neck from an earlier '70's model and solder in a straight neck from my old tank....other than a slight inconvenience, it has held up fine!
You'd be hard pressed to notice any difference between a baffled and non-baffled tank.